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It’s not uncommon to suffer from oral symptoms and be confused as to what they mean for your health. So, we’ve unpacked three common oral conditions that you shouldn’t ignore while keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth or xerostomia occurs when there is not enough saliva in the mouth. Dry mouth is often a symptom of an underlying condition, rather than a disease in itself. Dry mouth can lead to an increase in cavities, as saliva plays a role in protecting teeth against caries by neutralising acids produced by bacteria, and aiding in digestion¹.

Causes of dry mouth are varied but can include prescription medication, medical treatments, dehydration, mouth breathing, autoimmune diseases, or infection¹.

Common signs and symptoms of dry mouth include¹:

• A sticky or dry feeling in the mouth or throat
• Frequent thirst
• Split skin at the corners of the mouth or cracked lips
• A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth or the tongue
• A rough, dry, red, or raw tongue
• Mouth ulcers
• Bad breath
• Oral thrush or infections of the salivary glands
• Difficulty with speech, taste, chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty wearing dentures

 

Treating options for dry mouth depend upon the underlying cause and may include options such as changing medication or dosages, treating any infections present and attempting to increase saliva production.

Where dry mouth is a result of an underlying condition and not necessarily able to be reversed/treated definitively, the symptoms can be treated to provide relief. Options for managing symptoms include sipping water regularly, use of non-alcoholic mouthwash and gels containing a lubricant and use of salivary substitutes. It’s also a good idea to avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking and dry or spicy foods for relief.

 

Bad Breath

Bad breath or halitosis can have many causes but is commonly caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that normally live on the surface of the tongue and throat. Treatment depends on the underlying cause which can include, consuming foods such as garlic and onion, food particles trapping around teeth or dentures, smoking, dry mouth, dental infections such as periodontitis (gum disease), nasal or sinus infections. Halitosis can also come from odours from the gastrointestinal tract, or be indicative of underlying diabetes, liver, or kidney problems

Halitosis symptoms can include²:

• A dry mouth
• A white coating on the tongue
• A build-up of plaque and calculus or food debris around teeth
• A burning tongue
• Thick saliva
• A constant need to clear your throat
• A constant sour, bitter metallic taste

Treating halitosis depends on the underlying cause but good oral hygiene, including tongue brushing, is an important first step. The use of tongue scrapers as well as mouthwashes, lozenges and toothpastes can help remove bad breath. Drinking water frequently can also assist by removing any stagnated saliva which can contribute to bad breath and is one of the common causes of “morning breath”.

 

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an infection of the gums that, if left untreated can progress to periodontitis (disease of the supporting tissues surrounding teeth including the bone). Not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis and by itself is usually reversible. Gingivitis occurs when a build-up of bacteria in plaque adheres in a sticky film onto the surface of the tooth causing the adjacent gums to become inflamed

Gingivitis symptoms may include³:

• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• Gums that are red, tender, or swollen
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• The presence of pus or exudate between teeth and gums
• Pain when chewing
• Sensitive or loose teeth

There are a variety of treatment options for gingivitis, which usually involve the removal of any plaque build-ups and of any rough edges of fillings that provide a safe haven for the build-up of plaque.

These conditions can be prevented by effective regular oral hygiene, but if you’re suffering from any of the above conditions or symptoms it is important to book an appointment and investigate any potential causes and to find the most effective treatment for you.

 

1 https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dry-mouth#symptoms-of-dry-mouth

2 https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/halitosis-or-bad-breath#causes-of-halitosis

3 https://www.teeth.org.au/gum-diseases

 

Tooth decay, also called caries, is a diet-related disease that damages teeth and, if untreated, can cause further problems. Babies and children are prone to tooth decay because the protective enamel coating on their teeth is thinner and softer than in adults’ teeth. As with adults, tooth decay happens when germs in the mouth create a sticky coating called plaque, on the tooth surface. Plaque feeds on sugars in food and drinks and creates acid which damages the tooth surface. Over time, this acid etches away at the protective coating of the tooth, causing a hole to developt¹.

Bottles of milk, juice, or fluids other than water increase the risk of childhood dental decay. When a baby or child settles to sleep sucking on a bottle, their teeth are exposed to sugars which can build up on their teeth. During sleep, saliva flow slows down so there is less protection against decay.   Some foods also increase the risk of tooth decay, particularly those which are sticky and sweet².

Preventing childhood tooth decay

There are tips you can follow at each stage of your child’s teeth journey, but these need to start in the early months of life.

• Even before they have teeth, your baby can become used to having their gums and tongue gently cleaned with a damp washcloth.
• As their teeth appear, use a soft, child-size toothbrush. Introduce a child-strength fluoride toothpaste from 18 months of age and brush their teeth twice daily.
• Once your toddler has two teeth that touch, floss gently to remove food caught in between their teeth.
• Remember, children need their parent’s help to brush their teeth until they’re 8-9 years old. If your child shows interest in brushing their teeth, let them. But it’s important to check and do a quick once over as children don’t have the dexterity in their hands and wrist to do a thorough job at this age.
• Look after your own dental health to lessen the risk of passing on bacteria which cause tooth decay. Blowing on a child’s food to cool it down, ‘tasting’ food and then offering the same spoon and putting a dummy or teat in a parent’s mouth are all ways that cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted.

Feeding habits to prevent tooth decay

Bottle caries is a common condition where a child’s upper front teeth (upper incisors) are exposed to sugars, causing acid attacks.

• Once your baby has finished feeding, remove the bottle from their mouth so their teeth aren’t continually exposed to lactose –milk sugar which can cause decay⁴.
• Avoid putting your baby or toddler to bed with a bottle of milk, fruit juice or cordial⁴.
• Start teaching your baby to drink from a cup from around 6 months old⁵.
• Offer tap water if your baby is thirsty and check to see if your water supply is fluoridated. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay⁴.

How would I know my child has tooth decay?

Get into the habit of checking your child’s teeth each time you brush them. If you see any changes or anything unusual, book an appointment with your dentist. In the very early stages of decay, caries can be reversed, and teeth may be remineralised with dental treatment⁴.

Tooth decay can show as:

• A dull white band or white spots on the tooth surface closest to the gum line. This is the first sign of decay⁴.
• A yellow, brown, or black band on the tooth surface closest to the gum line⁴.

Dental checks for your child

We recommend that a baby’s first dental visit should occur around the time their first tooth erupts or at 1 year of age, whichever comes first⁴. Building a good relationship with your dentist early on helps children to become comfortable and develop trust. Guidance on keeping your child’s teeth healthy, as well as tips to prevent decay, will help to keep their mouth healthy. Book an appointment with your nib dentist today.

 

 

1Kids Health Information: Dental care (rch.org.au)

2Tooth decay: babies, children & teenagers | Raising Children Network

4Tooth decay – young children – Better Health Channel

5toothsmart-8-stop-the-bottle-baby.pdf (nsw.gov.au)

 

Bruxism is a condition that involves grinding, gnashing, or clenching the teeth and is often caused by genetics, stress, or anxiety. Caffeine and medications like antidepressants can increase the risk¹. Bruxism can also be caused by involuntary, strong contractions of the jaw muscles and can happen unconsciously when we’re awake but also when we’re sleeping.

I’ve never thought about the position of my teeth!

Our teeth are designed to be in contact with each other when we chew, but apart when we’re not eating. Even if our mouth and lips are shut, our upper and lower teeth shouldn’t really be in contact.  Clenching the jaw and teeth places pressure on jaw muscles and their teeth, which can cause problems if sustained for long periods of time.

How would I know if I grind my teeth?

You may not know for certain if you’re tooth grinding until your dentist examines your teeth. However, you may suspect you are if you’re currently experiencing:

• Painful jaw muscles, particularly in the morning.
• Cracked, chipped or painful teeth.
• Neck or ear pain, headaches and sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks.
• Your partner may also hear your teeth grinding when you’re sleeping.

Your dentist will check for signs of bruxism at your dental visits. Typical symptoms they’ll be looking for are tooth damage, worn enamel or flattened, fractured or loose teeth. Your dentist will also ask you for a history of any discomfort or changes in your mouth or jaw.

What is the treatment for tooth grinding?

Addressing the cause of grinding, not just the symptoms supports effective management.

Not everyone who grinds their teeth will need treatment. Children, for example, will often grow out of it. Similarly, for many people, tooth grinding is transient and only periodically appears during stressful times. If you’re stressed, mindfulness and relaxation strategies, as well as developing positive sleep hygiene habits can make a difference.

However, if you do need treatment, there are a few different ways to manage bruxism effectively.

To manage the physical symptoms of bruxism, a custom-made mouthguard, also called an occlusal splint is designed to prevent tooth damage that occurs during sleep. It also decreases the symptoms of muscle and jaw discomfort caused by grinding. An occlusal splint does not stop the wearer from tooth grinding; however, it helps to alleviate some of the signs and symptoms.

Your dentist will also make recommendations to repair any damaged teeth. Fillings and crowns may be necessary to repair damaged or worn teeth. Left untreated, severe bruxism can damage teeth so much that they may need to be removed.

Another treatment option is to have Botox injections into the jaw and chewing muscles. Botox works for bruxism by blocking the nerve transmission between the brain and the injected muscles, causing them to relax².

Book an appointment with your dentist to check if you have bruxism.

 

 

 

Teeth grinding – Australian Dental Association

The Evaluation of the Clinical Effects of Botulinum Toxin on Nocturnal Bruxism – PMC (nih.gov)